Chapter 24: Swimming Class?

---A Week before Classes---

It was around six o'clock and Heimdall was walking down the street whistling to himself. Although normally a subdued type, Heimdall was surprisingly quite energetic. Reaching the gates of Loki's home, Heimdall stopped whistling, and began to smile evilly. Yes, it seemed that Heimdall, the god of scheming had once again come up with something sinister. And only one god had the honored privilege of being the victim to his most elaborate or diabolical schemes: Loki. Removing the smile from his face, Heimdall knocked on the front door.

"Hello? Ah… Higashiyama Kazumi-kun, are you here to see Loki?"

"Yes. It seems that we are both going to Tokyo University in the fall and I wanted to know what classes he's taking. Maybe we'll share one even though I'm majoring in Computer Science and he's in the Forensics department."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Please come in."

"Thank you," answered Heimdall, stepping through the wards on the front door.

"We were just about to eat dinner. Would you care to join us? Yamino-san always cooks extra. Fenrir has quite an appetite," giggled Mayura.

"I would be delighted to Mayura-san"

"By the way Kazumi-kun, how is Freyr-san doing? I… I know I hurt him awhile ago."

"Fine… I just found him another Yamato Nadeshiko," answered Heimdall as they walked into the kitchen were everyone else had already gathered.

"But I thought you liked him Kazumi-san."

"......................"

"I mean, you going shopping together all the time."

"So? What's that supposed to mean? Is it a crime to go shopping? There's nothing wrong with going shopping with Freyr!"

It means that you're flaming-- idiot. And a crime? That depends on your point of view, thought Loki.

"Wouldn't you go shopping with Freyr, Loki?"

Loki cringed. "No. I'm not into that sort of thing." Heimdall and Freyr. If they were any more flaming, I'd make THEM the Gods of Fire. And to think, both of them claim to like girls. Well, Freyr does at least. Hmm… maybe Heimdall's an it. That could explain a lot of things.

"Your friend Kazumi-kun wanted to talk with you, so I invited him to dinner. I hope you don't mind," spoke Mayura.

"No, that's fine. There's plenty of food," answered Loki as he stared at Heimdall. And if looks could kill… let's just say they would both have been permanently visiting Hel a little earlier than they wanted. Heimdall sat down and they all began to eat. Mayura was confused, not understanding why the two 'friends' were having a staring contest.

Halfway through the meal Heimdall stopped glaring at Loki and began to smile, once again remembering the real reason he had gone to his enemy's house. "So, Loki… have you looked your official schedule for Tokyo University yet?"

Loki looked at Heimdall warily. "No… not yet, why?"

"Well, I'm going to be attending Tokyo University this year too. And I just wanted to know if we share any classes," informed Heimdall.

"I'll go and get it! It's on your desk right Loki?" asked Mayura.

"Ah… wait, Mayu-chan…" Loki responded, but it was too late. Mayura had already begun to run up the stairs to the study. "What are you up to Heimdall?" asked Loki threateningly.

"Oh, nothing… But, you have a cute girlfriend Loki."

"YOU…"

"What did I tell you Loki? Every person has an opening to their heart. You seem to like the dumb and gullible types."

"Leave Mayura out of this, you here me!"

"Don't worry Loki, I won't hurt your 'Mayu-chan'," scoffs Heimdall. "You're the only…"

"I found it Loki! I didn't know you're taking swimming. That's good. You really should learn how to swim. You never know when it may come in handy."

"What?!"

"You're taking swimming too?" asked Heimdall surprised. "What period does Loki have it Mayura-san? I'm in the Tuesday, Thursday, Friday section… fifth period."

"Then you'll be having that class together! Isn't that wonderful Loki?"

"Perfect"

"You don't seem happy Loki. What's the matter?"

"I don't like a lot of water."

"Well, then this class should help you get over that fear. You'll be swimming three times a week!"

".................................."

"Can I see his schedule Mayura-san?"

"Oh, sure Kazumi-kun," replied Mayura as she handed Loki's schedule to Heimdall.

"Awe… it looks like that's the only class we have together. But I guess that's to be expected." Heimdall got up and walked over to where Loki was sitting. Handing Loki his schedule Heimdall whispered into Loki's ear, "It's the only required P.E. class that fits into your schedule. I made sure."

"You'll pay Heimdall. You'll pay."

"Oh… I very much doubt it Loki. Nothing you could do to me would equal this." Straightening up, Heimdall thanked Mayura for inviting him to dinner and left. Outside Heimdall once again smiled wickedly. "I've finally won Loki. There is no way you can beat me now."

Author's Note: This chapter was inspired by my wonderful friend and beta reader Alaska boy. Thank you so much for breaking my writer's block. And sorry to all the Heimdall fans out there. It's just that that line wrote itself in there and I couldn't force myself to hit the backspace key. : )

To LittleGreenWolf: Happy to make your day a little bit brighter.

To akuweaselgirl: There will be some more angst later, but for now it's going to be waffy.

To Bibliomaniac:
1. With Japan's public transportation services, thirty minutes is quite a ways away. Loki wouldn't have been able to walk it everyday. Plus Mayura was only talking about physical time on a bus or train, not getting to the public transportation.
2. To answer you're question, no, Loki doesn't need to go to college. But at that point it would have been rather difficult to get out of going without making Mayura curious. (Remember, Loki's trying to pretend to be a highly gifted mortal who happens to know a god.)
3. Mayura can be rather unobservant at times. She just never thought about the fact that Loki didn't go to school. But when he mentioned it, she realized it was odd that he didn't go to school. Why does she care if Loki goes to Tokyo U? Because Tokyo University is the university of Japan. It would be like going to MIT or Yale in the United States, or even bigger. Every top student in Japan wants to be accepted into Tokyo University—but only a fraction do. Going to Tokyo University is like having a guaranteed job in Japan.
4. Junior level courses are usually taken by third year college students. Not that sophomores (second year) or seniors (fourth year) don't take them. But it is rather unusual for a freshman to be taking all junior level courses.
5. Going to have to wait for more information about the bond… sorry.

To Malster: I intend to finish this story. And if I don't, my beta reader will kill me… and he knows where I live. At school and in Ct! My brother's annoying me right now. Stupid high school sophomore.

To Melrose Stormhaven: Oh, Loki's more than a few hundred years in my story. And your other question… I won't spill the beans.